Test tube feeding device and pipeline sample transmission system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a test tube loading device and an assembly line sample conveying system. The test tube loading device includes: a frame and a pushing mechanism, the pushing mechanism includes a plurality of fixed ladders, a pushing assembly and a driving mechanism; the plurality of fixed ladders are mounted on the frame in a stepped manner; the pushing assembly includes a bracket and a plurality of movable ladders, the plurality of movable ladders are arranged one by one on a side of the plurality of fixed ladders facing away from the frame; the driving mechanism is driven and connected to the bracket; a guide structure is provided on a side of a movable ladder facing a fixed ladder, and the guide structure generates a lateral component force on the test tube, so that the test tube is placed horizontally on the top of the fixed ladder after being tilted. The technical solution of the present invention can make the test tube be placed horizontally on the top of the fixed ladder after being tilted, so as to meet the standard feeding requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and in particular to a test tube loading device and an assembly line sample conveying system using the test tube loading device. Background Art

[0002] The test tube loading device, also known as a multi-step inclined push plate mechanism (also known as a material sorting mechanism in the prior art), consists of a drive mechanism, fixed ladders, and movable ladders. The fixed and movable ladders have the same angle with the horizontal ground. There are multiple fixed and movable ladders, each arranged in a stepped manner. The multiple movable ladders correspond one-to-one with the fixed ladders, and the drive mechanism drives the multiple movable ladders to move diagonally upward simultaneously. In the initial state, the lower movable ladder pushes the test tube on the surface of the adjacent upper fixed ladder to the top of the upper fixed ladder. The movable ladder repeatedly reciprocates to push the test tube to the top of the device to complete the feeding process.

[0003] In practice, ideally, test tubes are placed horizontally on top of the fixed ladder to ensure feeding is completed with the tubes in a horizontal position. However, some test tubes initially stand upright on top of the fixed ladder while leaning against the upper fixed plate. Even after repeated pushes, they cannot be tilted horizontally, failing to meet standard feeding requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a test tube loading device, aiming to solve the technical problem that the traditional test tube loading device cannot tilt and place the test tube standing on the top of the fixed ladder plate.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the test tube loading device proposed in the present invention comprises:

[0006] racks; and

[0007] The pushing mechanism includes a plurality of fixed ladder plates, a pushing assembly and a driving mechanism, wherein the plurality of fixed ladder plates are mounted on the frame in a stepped manner, and an angle is formed between the surface of each fixed ladder plate and the horizontal ground;

[0008] The pusher assembly includes a bracket and a plurality of movable ladder plates, the bracket is movably mounted on the frame, the plurality of movable ladder plates are mounted on the bracket in a stepped manner, and one movable ladder plate is correspondingly arranged on a side of one fixed ladder plate away from the frame;

[0009] The driving mechanism is mounted on a surface of the frame facing away from the fixed ladder plate and is driven and connected to the bracket to drive the movable ladder plate to move obliquely upward and push the test tube at its top to the top of the fixed ladder plate on the upper layer;

[0010] A guide structure is provided on one side of the movable ladder plate facing the fixed ladder plate of the next layer. When the movable ladder plate moves downward, the end of the test tube on the end face of the fixed ladder plate of the next layer abuts against the guide structure, and the guide structure generates a lateral component force on the test tube, so that the test tube is tilted and placed horizontally on the top end of the fixed ladder plate.

[0011] Optionally, an angle between the guide structure and a side edge of the movable ladder plate parallel to the moving direction of the movable ladder plate is less than 90°.

[0012] Optionally, the guide structure is a guide groove, the guide groove has an upper edge and a lower edge that are oppositely arranged, and the upper edge is in an inverted V shape;

[0013] When the movable ladder plate moves downward, the end of the test tube abuts against the inner wall of the upper edge.

[0014] Optionally, the angle between the surface of the upper edge and the surface of the movable ladder plate is no greater than 135°;

[0015] And / or, the lower edge is in an inverted V shape;

[0016] And / or, a convex portion is provided in the middle portion of the lower edge and extends toward the upper edge.

[0017] Optionally, the guide structure is a ridge, and the ridge is in an inverted V shape.

[0018] Optionally, there are a plurality of ridges, and along the moving direction of the movable ladder plate, the plurality of ridges are arranged at intervals on the surface of the movable ladder plate.

[0019] Optionally, the test tube loading device further comprises a hopper, the hopper forming an inner cavity with an upward opening, a side of the hopper facing the pushing mechanism being provided with a discharge port communicating with the inner cavity, a platform being mounted on the outside of the discharge port, and an angle being formed between the surface of the platform and the horizontal ground;

[0020] When the test tube rolls from the table surface to the side of the fixed ladder plate facing away from the movable ladder plate, the movable ladder plate below the fixed ladder plate moves obliquely upward to push the test tube upward to the top of the fixed ladder plate.

[0021] Optionally, a slide plate and a shock-absorbing structure are provided on the wall surface of the inner cavity, and the shock-absorbing structure is sandwiched between the wall surface of the inner cavity and the slide plate.

[0022] The present invention also provides a pipeline sample delivery system, comprising a control component, a delivery mechanism, a branching mechanism, and the test tube loading device, wherein the control component is electrically connected to the delivery mechanism, the branching mechanism, and the test tube loading device respectively;

[0023] The conveying mechanism is installed on the frame, and the conveying mechanism has a blanking end and a lifting end. The conveying mechanism is used to horizontally convey the test tube from the blanking end to the lifting end. The conveying mechanism is provided with a first conveying station and a second conveying station parallel to each other;

[0024] The branching mechanism is installed on the frame and is located above the blanking end. The branching mechanism is used to store the first test tube and the second test tube, and can classify and release the first test tube to the first conveying station, and classify and release the second test tube to the second conveying station;

[0025] The test tube loading device is located above the branching mechanism and is used to push the test tubes into the branching mechanism for storage.

[0026] Optionally, the branch mechanism includes a slide, a movable support assembly, a push rod assembly, and a sensor, the slide is mounted on the frame, the movable support assembly is movably mounted on the frame along a first direction, the push rod assembly is movably mounted on the frame along a second direction, and the sensor is provided on one side of the slide;

[0027] The movable support assembly has a tendency to move toward and away from the slide in the horizontal direction, so as to define a first gap and a second gap between the movable support assembly and the slide; the width of the first gap is smaller than the diameter of the tube head of the first test tube, larger than the diameter of the tube body of the first test tube, and smaller than the diameter of the tube body of the second test tube, and the second gap is larger than the diameter of the tube head of the first test tube;

[0028] The sensor is used to obtain a position signal of the tube body, and the control component controls the movable support component to move in a direction away from the slide according to the position signal, so that the first gap becomes a second gap, and the first test tube rolls from the slide to the first conveying station;

[0029] When the slide table stores a second test tube, the control assembly controls the push rod assembly to move horizontally to push the second test tube from the slide table to the second conveying station.

[0030] Optionally, the pipeline sample transport system further comprises a lifting mechanism, which is located below the conveying mechanism and is used to lift the test tube on the conveying mechanism vertically upward.

[0031] Optionally, the lifting mechanism further includes a stabilizer, which is provided on the frame. When the test tube moves vertically upward, the stabilizer abuts against the outer wall of the test tube.

[0032] In the technical solution of the present invention, under normal circumstances, multiple movable ladders simultaneously move diagonally upward, pushing horizontally placed test tubes upward layer by layer to the top of the topmost fixed ladder to achieve material placement. If a test tube stands on the top of the fixed ladder during the pushing process, it is necessary to tilt the test tube to a horizontal position. To solve this technical problem, a guide structure is added to the push plate. When a movable ladder moves downward, the end of the test tube on the fixed ladder below contacts the guide structure. The guide structure generates a lateral force on the test tube, causing the test tube to tilt and then be placed horizontally on the top of the fixed ladder, thereby increasing the number of horizontal test tubes that can be fed into the test tube loading device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0034] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of a test tube loading device of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of a test tube loading device of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the test tube loading device of the present invention when the movable ladder plate moves upward to push the material;

[0037] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the pushing assembly in the test tube loading device of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the guide structure in the test tube loading device of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the planar structure of the movable ladder plate in the test tube loading device of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the movable ladder plate in the test tube loading device of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of another embodiment of the movable ladder plate in the test tube loading device of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of the combined structure of the movable ladder plate and the fixed ladder plate in the test tube loading device of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 10 for Figure 9 Schematic diagram of a partially enlarged structure;

[0044] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of another embodiment of the combined structure of the movable ladder plate and the fixed ladder plate in the test tube loading device of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 12 For Figure 11 The technical solution in the middle has a structural diagram of the opposite technical idea;

[0046] Figure 13 Schematic diagram of another embodiment of the combined structure of the movable ladder plate and the fixed ladder plate in the test tube loading device of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 14 Schematic diagram of the structure of another embodiment of the movable ladder plate in the test tube loading device of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 15 Schematic diagram of the partial structure of the hopper in the test tube feeding device of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 16 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the pipeline sample conveying system of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 17 Schematic diagram of the combined structure of the conveying mechanism and the branching mechanism in the pipeline sample conveying system of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 18 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of a branch management mechanism in the pipeline sample transmission system of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 19 for Figure 18 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the responsible organization from another perspective;

[0053] Figure 20 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure when the first test tube is stored in the sub-management mechanism;

[0054] Figure 21 for Figure 20 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the responsible organization from another perspective;

[0055] Figure 22 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure when the second test tube is stored in the branch mechanism;

[0056] Figure 23 for Figure 22 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the responsible organization from another perspective;

[0057] Figure 24 Schematic diagram of the combined structure of the conveying mechanism and the lifting mechanism in the pipeline sample conveying system of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 25 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the lifting mechanism in the pipeline sample conveying system of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 26 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of a stabilizer in the pipeline sample transmission system of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 27 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of another embodiment of the stabilizer in the pipeline sample transmission system of the present invention.

[0061] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0062]

[0063]

[0064] The purpose, features and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0066] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present invention (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0067] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. in the present invention are for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the fact that they can be implemented by ordinary technicians in this field. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0068] See also Figures 1 to 5 In an embodiment of the present invention, the test tube loading device 10 includes a frame 1 and a pushing mechanism 2, the pushing mechanism 2 includes a plurality of fixed ladder plates 22, a pushing assembly and a driving mechanism 25, the plurality of fixed ladder plates 22 are mounted on the frame 1 in a stepped manner, and an angle is formed between the surface of each fixed ladder plate 22 and the horizontal ground; the pushing assembly includes a bracket 23 and a plurality of movable ladder plates 24, the bracket 23 is movably mounted on the frame 1, the plurality of movable ladder plates 24 are mounted on the bracket 23 in a stepped manner, and one movable ladder plate 24 is correspondingly arranged on a side of one fixed ladder plate 22 away from the frame 1; The driving mechanism 25 is installed on a surface of the frame 1 away from the fixed ladder plate 22, and is driven to be connected to the bracket 23 to drive the movable ladder plate 24 to move obliquely upward, pushing the test tube at its top to the top of the fixed ladder plate 22 of the upper layer; a guide structure 241 is provided on the side of the movable ladder plate 24 facing the fixed ladder plate 22 of the lower layer. When the movable ladder plate 24 moves downward, the test tube end on the end face of the fixed ladder plate 22 of the lower layer abuts against the guide structure 241, and the guide structure 241 generates a lateral component of force on the test tube, so that the test tube is tilted and placed horizontally on the top of the fixed ladder plate 22.

[0069] See also Figures 1 to 3 In actual application, under normal circumstances, the driving mechanism 25 drives the bracket 23 to move, and multiple movable ladders 24 move obliquely upward at the same time, which can push the horizontally placed test tubes upward layer by layer. When the test tube is pushed to the top of the uppermost fixed ladder 22, it rolls down from there to achieve blanking. In actual application, the driving mechanism 25 may include a transmission assembly consisting of a motor (not shown in the figure), a gear (not shown in the figure) and a belt (not shown in the figure). There are two gears, both installed on the frame. The motor is connected to one of the gears for driving. The belt is wrapped around the two gears in a closed loop. A connecting part is protruding from one side of the bracket 23 and connected to the belt. When the motor is turned on, it drives the gear to rotate forward or reverse, which can drive the belt to move. The belt drives the bracket 23 to move obliquely upward or downward. Of course, the driving mechanism 25 includes but is not limited to the above structure. All technical solutions for realizing the functions of the driving mechanism 25 of this application fall within the scope of protection of this application and will not be repeated herein. In this application, if the test tube stands on the top of the fixed ladder 22 during the pushing process, it is necessary to tilt the test tube horizontally. To solve this technical problem, please refer to Figures 2 to 7A guide structure 241 is newly added to the surface of the movable ladder plate 24. When a movable ladder plate 24 moves downward, since the test tube is inclined above the horizontal ground, the end of the test tube faces the guide structure 241, and the end surface of the next fixed ladder plate 22 abuts against the other end of the test tube. The guide structure 241 generates a lateral component of force on the test tube, so that the test tube is tilted and placed horizontally on the top of the fixed ladder plate 22, thereby increasing the number of horizontal test tubes fed into the test tube loading device 10. When the movable ladder plate 24 moves downward, the guide structure 241 contacts the end of the test tube. Its purpose is that before the movable ladder plate 24 moves upward, the end of the test tube standing on the top of the fixed ladder plate 22 of the lower layer (hereinafter referred to as the A layer) overlaps the surface of the fixed ladder plate 22 of the upper layer (hereinafter referred to as the B layer). The horizontal height of the guide structure 241 on the surface of the movable ladder plate 24 on the same layer as the fixed ladder plate 22 of the A layer is lower than the horizontal height of the end of the test tube. Therefore, before the movable ladder plate 24 of the A layer moves upward, the test tube does not roll down obliquely to the top of the movable ladder plate 24. When the movable ladder plate 24 of the A layer moves upward, it is mainly used to push upward the horizontal test tube that has rolled down to the top of the movable ladder plate 24 of this layer. The tube body and the end of the test tube at the top of the fixed ladder plate 22 only rub against the surface of the movable ladder plate 24, and are gradually pushed away from the surface of the fixed ladder plate 22 of the B layer by the movable ladder plate 24 during the upward movement of the movable ladder plate 24, without hindering the movement of the movable ladder plate 24. When the movable ladder plate 24 moves upward to a preset height (generally completely opposite to the fixed ladder plate 22 of the B layer or its top is slightly higher than the top of the fixed ladder plate 22 of the B layer), the horizontal height of the guide structure 241 is higher than the height of the test tube end at the top of the fixed ladder plate 22 of the A layer. When the movable ladder plate 24 falls back and resets, the guide structure 241 gradually contacts the test tube end. Under the action of the lateral force, the test tube end and the guide structure 241 roll and rub, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the force direction of the end of the test tube is horizontal to the right. After the test tube gradually tilts over, it is placed horizontally on the top of the original fixed ladder plate 22 of the A layer. After the movable ladder plate 24 of the A layer is completely dropped, the test tube rolls obliquely downward to the top of the movable ladder plate 24 of the A layer, waiting to be pushed upward.

[0070] Furthermore, there are no fewer than three fixed ladders 22, and a corresponding number of movable ladders 24. The length of the movable ladder 24 is greater than its range of motion, and its range of motion is greater than the height difference between two adjacent fixed ladders 22. This ensures that during movement, the top surface of the movable ladder 24 is lower than the fixed ladder 22 on the same level when in the low position, and higher than the fixed ladder 22 on the upper level when in the high position, further facilitating the tumbling, receiving, and ejection of test tubes. Furthermore, no additional variable gap is created between the movable ladder 24 and the fixed ladder 22 during movement, preventing noise from collisions with test tubes.

[0071] Optionally, the surface area of the fixed ladder plate 22 at the top layer is larger than that of the other fixed ladder plates 22 and the movable ladder plates 24. That is, the projections of the fixed ladder plates 22 and the movable ladder plates 24 located at the bottom layer all fall on the surface of the fixed ladder plate 22 at the top layer. When the fixed ladder plate 22 at the top layer is used as a base plate, the drive mechanism 25 can be installed on the side of the fixed ladder plate 22 facing away from the other fixed ladder plates 22 and the movable ladder plates 24, or it can be connected to the frame 1. This type of structural arrangement facilitates the integrated installation or removal of the pusher mechanism 2 from the frame 1, resulting in a compact structure. Although the use of the fixed ladder plate 22 at the top layer is increased, it occupies more installation space to a certain extent, increasing the manufacturing cost of the ladder plates. Therefore, in this application, preferably, the fixed ladder plates 22 and the movable ladder plates 24 on each layer are of the same size, which saves space, facilitates layout, reduces manufacturing difficulty, and reduces cost.

[0072] See also Figure 6 In this embodiment, the angle between the guide structure 241 and the side edge of the movable ladder plate 24 parallel to the moving direction of the movable ladder plate 24 is less than 90°.

[0073] The angle between the guide structure 241 and the side edge of the movable ladder plate 24 must be less than 90 degrees, and about 45 degrees is the best. With this type of structural setting, the guide structure 241 can make the test tube have a larger tilting angle, ensuring that the end of the test tube effectively contacts the guide structure 241 and is tilted by force.

[0074] Please refer again Figures 2 to 7 In this embodiment, the guide structure 241 is a guide groove 2411, and the guide groove 2411 has an upper edge 24111 and a lower edge 24113 that are relatively arranged, and the upper edge 24111 is an inverted V shape; when the movable ladder plate 24 moves downward, the end of the test tube abuts against the inner wall of the upper edge 24111.

[0075] In this type of structural arrangement, the guide structure 241 is a guide groove 2411. Its purpose is to ensure that, in the initial state, the surface gap between the movable ladder plate 24 and the fixed ladder plate 22 on the same level remains unchanged (the surface outside the area where the guide groove 2411 is provided), eliminating the need to modify the mounting structure. This prevents installation errors from causing a large gap between the fixed ladder plate 22 and the movable ladder plate 24 on the same level, which could cause a horizontal test tube to become stuck in the gap after rolling down diagonally, hindering the return of the movable ladder plate 24. In actual use, the upper edge 24111 of the guide groove 2411 contacts the end of the test tube and generates a lateral force component, causing the test tube to tip over. The lower edge 24113 does not provide any guiding or tilting function. The upper edge 24111 is set in an inverted V shape. Its purpose is to have the middle part of the guide groove 2411 located in the middle part of the movable ladder plate 24. Along the movement direction of the movable ladder plate 24, the test tube is tilted toward the middle part of the movable ladder plate 24 rather than the side edges of the movable ladder plate 24, preventing the test tube from falling out of the movement range of the movable ladder plate 24 and the range of the fixed ladder plate 22.

[0076] See also Figures 2 to 8 In this embodiment, the angle between the surface of the upper edge 24111 and the surface of the movable ladder plate 24 is not greater than 135°; and / or, the shape of the lower edge 24113 is an inverted V shape; and / or, a protrusion 24115 is extended along the middle part of the lower edge 24113 toward the upper edge 24111.

[0077] See also Figure 7 、 Figure 9 and Figure 10 The angle between the upper edge 24111 and the surface of the movable ladder 24 is preferably obtuse, with 135° being the ideal value. This type of structural arrangement, with the upper edge 24111 being an inclined surface, further facilitates the tip of the test tube from tipping along the inclined surface. Furthermore, when the movable ladder 24 returns to its original position, the tip of the test tube contacts the upper edge 24111, allowing the tip to slide off the inclined surface, preventing it from becoming stuck on the upper edge 24111.

[0078] A convex portion 24115 is provided in the middle of the lower edge 24113 extending toward the upper edge 24111. With this type of structural arrangement, when the movable ladder plate 24 rises, if there is a horizontal test tube at the top of the fixed ladder plate 22 on the same layer, the convex portion 24115 is used to support the horizontal test tube to prevent the horizontal test tube from completely rolling down into the guide groove 2411, thereby avoiding the technical problem that the test tube in the guide groove 2411 is stuck between the upper edge 24111 of the guide groove 2411 and the top of the fixed ladder plate 22 during the falling back of the movable ladder plate 24, thereby hindering the falling back of the movable ladder plate 24.

[0079] See also Figure 8 、 Figure 11 and Figure 12Alternatively, the surface of the upper edge 24111 and the surface of the movable ladder 24 may be at a right angle. In this case, along the direction of movement of the movable ladder 24, the upper edge 24111 extends to the upper edge of the movable ladder 24 to form an opening 24112. The width of the opening 24112 must allow the thickest part of the test tube (generally the test tube tip) to pass through. If the upper edge 24111 does not extend to the opening 24112, the test tube may become stuck between the middle of the upper edge 24111 and the top of the fixed ladder 22 during the return movement of the movable ladder 24.

[0080] See also Figure 14 In this embodiment, the guide structure 241 is a ridge 242, and the ridge 242 is in an inverted V shape. In a further embodiment, there are multiple ridges 242, and the multiple ridges 242 are spaced apart on the surface of the movable ladder plate 24 along the moving direction of the movable ladder plate 24.

[0081] The ridges 242 and the upper edge 24111 of the guide groove 2411 serve the same guiding function: they contact the test tube ends during the return of the movable ladder 24, separating them laterally and causing them to fall. Of course, the ridges 242 can also be arranged in an inverted V-shape. Multiple ridges can be provided along the direction of movement of the movable ladder 24. When the upper ridges 242 contact the test tube ends, the test tubes fall. The lower ridges 242 provide frictional resistance and support for the tube body and ends, facilitating a relatively stable tilting and horizontal placement of the test tubes. Of course, providing multiple ridges 242 along the direction of movement of the movable ladder 24 accommodates test tubes of varying lengths.

[0082] It is worth noting that the purpose of the present invention is to obtain as many horizontal test tubes (hereinafter referred to as horizontal tubes) as possible. However, the grooves and ridges cause the movable ladder 24 to collide with the horizontal test tubes at the top of the fixed ladder 22 during its up and down movement. As mentioned above, if the groove depth is too large, the horizontal test tubes may roll into the guide groove 2411 and become stuck. Therefore, the groove depth and ridge 242 height have the following requirements:

[0083] 1. The guide groove 2411 will increase the gap between the surface of the movable ladder plate 24 and the surface of the fixed ladder plate 22. When the guide groove 2411 drops to the cross tube, the cross tube will roll to the bottom of the groove. When the upper edge 24111 passes by, the cross tube is forced out again. When the angle between the upper edge 24111 and the surface of the movable ladder plate 24 is about 135 degrees, the maximum gap does not exceed half the diameter of the test tube body, which is the best. At this time, the tube body just rests on the top of the fixed ladder plate 22 and has not yet rested on the edge of the gap. The process of being squeezed out is the process of sliding along the top of the fixed ladder plate 22, without jumping up and down. Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown.

[0084] 2. When the angle between the surface of the upper edge 24111 and the surface of the movable ladder plate 24 is 90 degrees, the gap between the surface of the fixed ladder plate 22 and the surface of the movable ladder plate 24 should be much smaller than half of the diameter of the tube body, because the friction coefficient of the tube body should be considered. Figure 13 As shown in the figure, the optimal maximum gap is 1 / 4 of the tube diameter.

[0085] Please refer again Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, the test tube loading device 10 further includes a hopper 3, which forms an inner cavity (not shown in the figure) with an upper opening 24112, and a discharge port 31 connected to the inner cavity is opened on a side of the hopper 3 facing the pushing mechanism 2, and a table 32 is installed on the outside of the discharge port 31, and an angle is formed between the surface of the table 32 and the horizontal ground; when the test tube rolls from the surface of the table 32 to the side of the fixed ladder plate 22 away from the movable ladder plate 24, the movable ladder plate 24 located below the fixed ladder plate 22 moves obliquely upward to push the test tube upward to the top of the fixed ladder plate 22.

[0086] There is an installation gap between the table plate 32 and the surface of the fixed ladder plate 22, which is slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the test tube. The top of the movable ladder plate 24 located on the lower layer of the fixed ladder plate 22 faces the installation gap, and the test tube falling into the installation gap is supported by the top of the movable ladder plate 24 and the surface of the fixed ladder plate 22 at the same time. When the driving mechanism 25 drives the movable ladder plate 24 to move obliquely upward, the movable ladder plate 24 can pass through the installation gap and move along the surface of the fixed ladder plate 22 to push the test tube at its top upward to the top of the fixed ladder plate 22 on the upper layer.

[0087] In actual application, the movable range of the movable ladder plate 24 does not intersect with the discharge direction of the discharge port 31. Its function is to prevent the movable ladder plate 24 from colliding with the test tube being discharged during movement, thereby avoiding interference between the two.

[0088] See also Figure 15 In this embodiment, the cavity wall of the inner cavity is provided with a slide plate 33 and a shock absorbing structure 34 , and the shock absorbing structure 34 is provided between the cavity wall of the inner cavity and the slide plate 33 .

[0089] The friction coefficient between the slide plate 33 and the test tube is very low, which allows the test tube to slide smoothly. The shock absorbing structure 34 has a buffering effect to prevent the test tubes from directly colliding with the inner wall of the hopper 3 when a large number of test tubes are poured into the hopper 3, thereby generating a loud noise. The shock absorbing structure 34 can be a sponge pad or other structure.

[0090] See also Figure 16 and Figure 17The present invention also provides a pipeline sample transport system, comprising a control assembly (not shown), a transport mechanism 4, a branching mechanism 5, and the aforementioned test tube loading device 10. The control assembly is electrically connected to the transport mechanism 4, the branching mechanism 5, and the test tube loading device 10, respectively. The specific structure of the test tube loading device 10 is similar to that of the aforementioned embodiments. Since the pipeline sample transport system utilizes all the technical solutions of all the aforementioned embodiments, it at least has all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the aforementioned embodiments, and therefore will not be further elaborated here. Among them, the conveying mechanism 4 is installed on the frame 1, and the conveying mechanism 4 has a blanking end and a lifting end. The conveying mechanism 4 is used to horizontally convey the test tube from the blanking end to the lifting end. The conveying mechanism 4 is provided with a first conveying station 411 and a second conveying station 412 parallel to each other; the branching mechanism 5 is installed on the frame 1 and is located above the blanking end. The branching mechanism 5 is used to store the first test tube and the second test tube, and can classify and release the first test tube to the first conveying station 411, and classify and release the second test tube to the second conveying station 412; the test tube loading device 10 is located above the branching mechanism 5, and is used to push the test tube to be blanked into the branching mechanism 5 for storage.

[0091] In practice, conveying mechanism 4 comprises conveyor belts 41. A first conveying station 411 and a second conveying station 412 are formed between two parallel and spaced-apart conveyor belts 41. The horizontal spacing between the two conveyor belts 41 forming the first conveying station 411 is smaller than the horizontal spacing between the two conveyor belts 41 forming the second conveying station 412. The spaced-apart conveyor belts 41 ensure that the test tubes are separated into a larger diameter end portion and a smaller diameter body portion. The end portion is supported by the two conveyor belts 41, and the body portion passes through the gap, allowing the entire test tube to be transported in a vertical position.

[0092] See also Figures 18 to 23In this embodiment, the branch mechanism 5 includes a slide 51, a movable support assembly 52, a push rod assembly 53 and a sensor 54. The slide 51 is installed on the frame 1, the movable support assembly 52 is movably installed on the frame 1 along a first direction, the push rod assembly 53 is movably installed on the frame 1 along a second direction, and the sensor 54 is arranged on one side of the slide 51; in the horizontal direction, the movable support assembly 52 has a tendency to move toward and away from the slide 51, so as to have a first gap and a second gap between it and the slide 51; the width of the first gap is smaller than the diameter of the tube head of the first test tube and larger than the first The diameter of the test tube body is smaller than the diameter of the tube body of the second test tube, and the second gap is larger than the diameter of the tube head of the first test tube; the sensor 54 is used to obtain the position signal of the tube body, and the control component controls the movable support component 52 to move away from the slide 51 according to the position signal, so that the first gap is changed to the second gap, and the first test tube rolls from the slide 51 to the first conveying station 411; when the slide 51 stores the second test tube, the control component controls the push rod component 53 to move horizontally, which is used to push the second test tube from the slide 51 to the second conveying station 412.

[0093] Working principle of this structure: In actual application, the first direction is along the X-axis, and the second direction is along the Y-axis (i.e., the direction in which the conveyor belt 41 horizontally conveys the test tubes). The first test tube is pushed and dropped from the test tube loading device 10 onto the slide 51 in a horizontal state. If the diameter of the tube head of the first test tube is larger than the width of the first gap, it cannot directly fall from the first gap to the surface of the slide 51, that is, the tube head of the first test tube is stuck in the first gap. If the diameter of the tube body of the first test tube is smaller than the width of the first gap, it will pass through the first gap, causing the first test tube to swing to a preset angle and then come to rest in the first gap. The sensor 54 is used to obtain the position signal of the tube body at this time, proving that the first test tube is a small-diameter test tube (i.e., a thin tube) at this time. The control component controls the movable support component 52 to move away from the slide 51 according to the position signal, so that the first gap becomes the second gap. The second gap is larger than the diameter of the tube head of the first test tube. The first test tube is released and falls on the surface of the slide 51, and rolls from the slide 51 to the first conveying station 411. The tube head diameter of the first test tube is larger than the horizontal distance between the two conveyor belts 41 forming the first conveying station 411, so that the tube head of the first test tube is stuck on the two conveyor belts 41, and its tube body passes through the horizontal distance between the two conveyor belts 41, so that the first test tube is in a vertical state, waiting to be transported horizontally; the second test tube is transported horizontally from the slide 51. The test tube loading device 10 is pushed and dropped into the slide 51. The width of the first gap is smaller than the diameter of the tube body and the tube head of the second test tube. The tube body of the second test tube cannot pass through the first gap and is identified by the sensor 54, proving that the second test tube is a large-diameter test tube (i.e., a thick tube) at this time. After dropping, the control component controls the push rod component 53 to move horizontally in the second direction, pushing the second test tube off the slide 51, so that it drops to the second conveying station 412. The diameter of the tube head of the second test tube is larger than the horizontal distance between the two conveyor belts 41 forming the second conveying station 412. The tube head of the second test tube is stuck on the two conveyor belts 41, and its tube body passes through the horizontal distance between the two conveyor belts 41, so that the second test tube is in a vertical state, waiting to be conveyed horizontally. In actual applications, the difference in maximum diameter between large and small test tubes is close to 2 to 3 mm, and it is almost difficult to distinguish the size of the test tubes with the naked eye. The branching mechanism in the prior art has a tube storage cavity and a tube outlet hole connected to the tube storage cavity. The width of the tube outlet hole is slightly larger than the diameter of the first test tube and smaller than the diameter of the second test tube. Therefore, in theory, the first test tube can flow out of the tube outlet hole to achieve the classification effect. However, due to factors such as processing errors, the width of the tube outlet hole is close to or the same as the diameter of the second test tube, which can easily cause misjudgment. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present application can more accurately identify test tubes of different diameter specifications through the combined structure of the sensor 54, the slide 51 and the movable support assembly 52, avoiding changes in the recognition effect caused by factors such as processing errors. In a further embodiment, a step position 55 is convexly provided on one side of the slide 51 facing the baffle 521 and on the side of the baffle 521 facing the slide 51, which can be used to stably support the test tube.

[0094] Optionally, the sensor 54 may be two oppositely arranged optocouplers. When the opposing signals of the two optocouplers are blocked by the tube body, it proves that the material dropped from the slide 51 is a thin tube (the first test tube).

[0095] See also Figures 19 to 23 In actual application, the movable support assembly 52 includes a baffle 521 and a first drive motor 522. The first drive motor 522 can be a linear screw motor. The baffle 521 is driven by the output end of the linear screw motor. The baffle 521 and the first drive motor 522 are both mounted on the frame 1. The first drive motor 522 drives the baffle 521 to move horizontally toward and away from the slide 51, forming a first gap and a second gap between the baffle 521 and the slide 51. The frame 1 is also provided with a guide rod 523. The guide rod 523 passes through the surface of the baffle 521 along the X-axis direction to increase the stability of the baffle 521 during horizontal movement.

[0096] See also Figures 19 to 23 The push rod assembly 53 includes a second drive motor, a slide rail, a slider, a push rod body and a belt assembly. The second drive motor, the slide rail and the belt assembly are all installed on the frame 1. The slide rail extends along the second direction. The slider is connected to the slide rail and the belt assembly at the same time. The push rod body is connected to the bottom of the slider toward the first gap. The belt assembly is driven and connected to the second drive motor. The second drive motor drives the belt assembly to move counterclockwise and clockwise, driving the push rod body to move in the second direction to push the test tube out of the slide 51 and reset it.

[0097] Of course, the movable support assembly 52 and the push rod assembly 53 include but are not limited to the above structures.

[0098] See also Figure 24 and Figure 25 In this embodiment, the pipeline sample transport system further includes a lifting mechanism 6, which is located below the conveying mechanism 4 and is used to vertically lift the test tube on the conveying mechanism 4 upward. In a further embodiment, the lifting mechanism 6 further includes a stabilizer 7, which is provided on the frame 1. During the vertical upward movement of the test tube, the stabilizer 7 abuts against the outer wall of the test tube.

[0099] In actual application, the lifting mechanism 6 includes a vertical drive structure 61 and two sleeves 62. The two sleeves 62 are driven and connected to the vertical drive structure 61. The two sleeves 62 are arranged one by one below the first conveying station 411 and the second conveying station 412. Of course, the diameters of the two sleeves 62 are different. The large-diameter sleeve 62 is arranged below the second conveying station 412, and the small-diameter sleeve 62 is arranged below the first conveying station 411. The conveying mechanism 4 simultaneously conveys the first test tube and the second test tube horizontally along the second direction to the top of the lifting mechanism 6, and then stops. The control component controls the vertical drive structure 61 to drive the two sleeves 62 to rise simultaneously. The bottom of the tube body of the first test tube is inserted into the small-diameter sleeve 62, and the first test tube is supported by the small-diameter sleeve 62. The bottom of the tube body of the second test tube is inserted into the large-diameter sleeve 62, and the second test tube is supported by the large-diameter sleeve 62. The two test tubes rise vertically upward to pass through the corresponding conveying station. After the tube body is completely passed through, it can be picked up by a clamping mechanism such as a robot to be placed on the next processing equipment or station. The vertical drive structure 61 can be a combination of a motor, a belt assembly, and a slider, and the sleeve 62 is installed on the slider. The vertical drive structure 61 can also be a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, and a screw drive structure.

[0100] During the vertical upward movement of the test tube, in order to ensure that the test tube always remains in a vertical state, the stabilizer 7 abuts against the outer wall of the test tube to prevent the test tube from tilting.

[0101] See also Figure 26 In this embodiment, the stabilizer 7 includes a frame structure 71. A through hole 711 for the test tube to pass through is opened on the surface of the frame structure 71. A plurality of spring pieces 712 are evenly spaced on the inner wall of the through hole 711. When the test tube passes through the through hole 711, the spring pieces 712 are pushed open. The spring pieces 712 abut against the outer wall of the test tube under the action of elasticity, providing elastic support for the test tube and preventing it from tilting.

[0102] See also Figure 27 In this embodiment, the stabilizer 7 includes bases 72 symmetrically disposed on either side of the first conveying station 411 (and / or the second conveying station 412). A spring block 722 is connected to the base 72 via a torsion spring 721. The spring block 722 is adapted to abut against the surface of the annular outer wall of the test tube. As the test tube moves upward, the spring block 722 is lifted upward by the test tube head. As the test tube continues to move upward, the height of the test tube head gradually rises above the spring block 722. Under the elastic force of the torsion spring 721, the spring block 722 abuts against the outer wall of the test tube, preventing the test tube from tilting.

[0103] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made by using the contents of the present invention description and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A test tube feeding device, characterized in that: include: Rack (1); and The material pushing mechanism (2) comprises a plurality of fixed ladder plates (22), a material pushing assembly and a driving mechanism (25), wherein the plurality of fixed ladder plates (22) are mounted on the frame (1) in a stepped manner, and an angle is formed between the surface of each fixed ladder plate (22) and the horizontal ground; The pusher assembly includes a bracket (23) and a plurality of movable ladder plates (24), wherein the bracket (23) is movably mounted on the frame (1), and the plurality of movable ladder plates (24) are mounted on the bracket (23) in a stepped manner, and one movable ladder plate (24) is correspondingly arranged on a side of one of the fixed ladder plates (22) away from the frame (1); The driving mechanism (25) is mounted on a surface of the frame (1) away from the fixed ladder plate (22), and is driven and connected to the bracket (23) to drive the movable ladder plate (24) to move obliquely upward, pushing the test tube at its top to the top of the fixed ladder plate (22) on the upper layer; A guide structure (241) is provided on one side of the movable ladder (24) facing the fixed ladder (22) of the next layer. When the movable ladder (24) moves downward, the test tube end on the end surface of the fixed ladder (22) of the next layer abuts against the guide structure (241). The guide structure (241) generates a lateral component force on the test tube, so that the test tube is tilted and placed horizontally on the top of the fixed ladder (22).

2. The test tube loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The included angle between the guide structure (241) and the side edge of the movable ladder plate (24) parallel to the moving direction of the movable ladder plate (24) is less than 90°.

3. The test tube loading device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guide structure (241) is a guide groove (2411), and the guide groove (2411) has an upper edge (24111) and a lower edge (24113) that are arranged opposite to each other, and the upper edge (24111) is in an inverted V shape; When the movable ladder plate (24) moves downward, the end of the test tube abuts against the inner wall of the upper edge (24111).

4. The test tube loading device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The angle between the surface of the upper edge (24111) and the surface of the movable ladder plate (24) is not greater than 135°; And / or, the lower edge (24113) is shaped like an inverted V; And / or, a convex portion (24115) is provided along the middle portion of the lower edge (24113) extending toward the upper edge (24111).

5. The test tube loading device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guide structure (241) is a ridge (242), and the ridge (242) is in an inverted V shape.

6. The test tube loading device according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are a plurality of ridges (242), and along the moving direction of the movable ladder plate (24), the plurality of ridges (242) are arranged at intervals on the surface of the movable ladder plate (24).

7. The test tube loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The test tube loading device further comprises a hopper (3), the hopper (3) forming an inner cavity with an upward opening, a discharge port (31) communicating with the inner cavity being opened on a side of the hopper (3) facing the pushing mechanism (2), a table (32) being installed outside the discharge port (31), and an angle being formed between the surface of the table (32) and the horizontal ground; When the test tube rolls from the surface of the table (32) to the side of the fixed ladder (22) away from the movable ladder (24), the movable ladder (24) located below the fixed ladder (22) moves obliquely upward to push the test tube upward to the top of the fixed ladder (22).

8. The test tube loading device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cavity wall surface of the inner cavity is provided with a slide plate (33) and a shock absorbing structure (34), and the shock absorbing structure (34) is sandwiched between the cavity wall surface of the inner cavity and the slide plate (33).

9. A pipeline sample delivery system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a control component, a conveying mechanism (4), a branching mechanism (5), and a test tube loading device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control component is electrically connected to the conveying mechanism (4), the branching mechanism (5), and the test tube loading device (10) respectively; The conveying mechanism (4) is mounted on the frame (1), and has a blanking end and a lifting end. The conveying mechanism (4) is used to horizontally convey the test tube from the blanking end to the lifting end. The conveying mechanism (4) is provided with a first conveying station (411) and a second conveying station (412) parallel to each other. The branching mechanism (5) is installed on the frame (1) and is located above the blanking end. The branching mechanism (5) is used to store the first test tube and the second test tube, and can classify and release the first test tube to the first conveying station (411), and classify and release the second test tube to the second conveying station (412); The test tube loading device (10) is located above the branching mechanism (5) and is used to push the test tubes into the branching mechanism (5) for storage.

10. The pipeline sample delivery system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The branch mechanism (5) comprises a slide (51), a movable support assembly (52), a push rod assembly (53) and a sensor (54); the slide (51) is mounted on the frame (1); the movable support assembly (52) is movably mounted on the frame (1) along a first direction; the push rod assembly (53) is movably mounted on the frame (1) along a second direction; and the sensor (54) is arranged on one side of the slide (51); The movable support assembly (52) has a tendency to move toward and away from the slide table (51) in the horizontal direction, so as to have a first gap and a second gap between the movable support assembly (52) and the slide table (51); the width of the first gap is smaller than the diameter of the tube head of the first test tube, larger than the diameter of the tube body of the first test tube, and smaller than the diameter of the tube body of the second test tube, and the second gap is larger than the diameter of the tube head of the first test tube; The sensor (54) is used to obtain a position signal of the tube body, and the control component controls the movable support component (52) to move in a direction away from the slide (51) according to the position signal, so that the first gap becomes a second gap, and the first test tube rolls from the slide (51) to the first conveying station (411); When the slide (51) stores a second test tube, the control assembly controls the push rod assembly (53) to move horizontally, so as to push the second test tube from the slide (51) to the second conveying station (412).

11. The pipeline sample delivery system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The pipeline sample conveying system further comprises a lifting mechanism (6), which is located below the conveying mechanism (4) and is used to lift the test tube on the conveying mechanism (4) vertically upward.

12. The pipeline sample delivery system according to claim 11, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism (6) further comprises a stabilizer (7), wherein the stabilizer (7) is provided on the frame (1), and when the test tube moves vertically upward, the stabilizer (7) abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the test tube.

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